With spring weather just around the corner, it is as important as ever to know what to do in situations capable of severe conditions. For this reason, the state of Nebraska has taken part in Severe Weather Awareness week this past week, March 23-27. According to Kyle Gravlin, a meteorologist at KETV channel seven news, the purpose of Severe Weather Awareness Week is to allow the public to prepare for these severe weather situations.

The week was kicked off by a statewide tornado drill that took place at eight a.m.  Wednesday morning.

Of course, as weather in the Midwest changes rapidly, our metro area is vulnerable to several weather conditions.

“Nebraska is vulnerable to all types of severe weather,” Gravlin said. “Large hail, strong winds in excess of 58 mph and tornadoes are all possible with severe storms around here. We really keep an eye out for such weather in late spring and early summer.”

At Westside, it is important for students to know what to do in the situation. As Westside missed the statewide tornado drill, ours took place Thursday morning first mod.

“The best way to prepare in school is with a tornado drill, where students and staff go through the process of getting to specified safe areas that would best be fit to ride out a possible tornado-warned storm,” Gravlin said. “At home, a similar drill or practice could be performed by going to a basement, or storm shelter, if you have one.”

The National Weather Service will continue to practice sponsored awareness weeks in other states country-wide. With this help from the National Weather Service, Westsiders and Nebraskans as a whole will be more prepared for severe weather in the future.